Tokyo, Japan, 29 May 2026 – Today, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) signed a Joint Declaration to strengthen cooperation in promoting productive, resilient and sustainable agro and food value chains in developing countries and emerging economies.
During their meeting at the Ministry’s headquarters, Atsushi Suginaka, Director General of MAFF’s Export and International Affairs Bureau, and Gunther Beger, Managing Director of UNIDO’s Directorate for SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), signed the Joint Declaration in the presence of H.E. Norikazu Suzuki, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
“I welcome the signing of the Joint Declaration and expect that the cooperation between MAFF and UNIDO will be strengthened under this framework”, said Suzuki. “The Government of Japan seeks to promote the international expansion of food technology solutions and startup companies from Japan”.
The meeting also allowed for high-level bilateral consultations on future cooperation in agribusiness, including food technologies, sustainable agro-industrial development, and partnerships with the private sector.
“It is important to strengthen our collaboration with UNIDO to promote sustainable agribusiness and food systems transformation, including through Japanese private-sector technologies and FoodTech innovations”, said Suginaka.
The Joint Declaration provides a framework for enhanced cooperation in areas including sustainable agro and food systems, climate-smart agriculture, value-added processing, food logistics and supply chains, bioeconomy, sustainable fisheries and forestry, and agro-industrial infrastructure development.
“UNIDO very much appreciates its longstanding partnership with the Government of Japan”, said Beger. “The Joint Declaration will further strengthen cooperation in leveraging innovation and private-sector partnerships to support resilient agro and food value chains and global food security”.
The importance of innovation, private sector engagement and investment, including the deployment of Japanese technologies and business-based solutions in developing countries, was further emphasized. Under the Joint Declaration, MAFF and UNIDO will work with public and private sector partners to develop and implement concrete cooperation projects aimed at building sustainable, inclusive and resilient agro and food systems.
For more information, please contact:
Akemi Ishikawa, Industrial Development Expert